COLUMBUS — All the off-season hype surrounding a more explosive offense was confirmed with one quarter of play by Ohio State here Saturday.

Ohio State receiver Devin Smith hauls in a touchdown catch over Buffalo’s Najja Johnson during the first quarter of Saturday’s season opener in Ohio Stadium. (EXAMINER PHOTO | TONY BARRETT)

The Buckeyes’ spread attack, which was tinkered by head coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman in effort to be more versatile, lit up the scoreboard for 23 first-quarter points against Buffalo.

Second-ranked OSU let off the gas pedal from there, finishing with a 40-20 season-opening win in Ohio Stadium.

Being outscored 20-17 over the final three quarters did leave a bit of a dull taste for Meyer and his troops.

“You can’t play much better than our guys did (in the first quarter),” said Meyer. “We’re pushing the ball down the field ... guys making plays. Special teams, I thought our kickoff team was outstanding.

“And then we rough a punter. Then we have the fourth down, we don’t make it. Then we throw a screen and it goes the other way. In a tight game, you’re going to lose that game. So we’ve gotta learn to fight through those momentum shifts.”